sore neck and shoulders

vermooten

Hi,

I'm not sure if this is to do with 'training' as such but bear with me.

Last few rides of length I've been on have left me with very sore shoulders and neck muscles. Yesterday's was worse still - it became a headache and the last 90 mins or so were deeply unpleasant, each bump in the road sending wave after wave of pain through my delicate system.

I'm not sure if the bike setup is to blame, but it might be. The only difference between then (i.e. when this wasn't a problem) and now is that I recently changed from Shimano pedals to Speedplays - which have a lower stack height - but I haven't altered anything else on the bike. Maybe I'm putting too much stress on my shoulders by .... dunno... just riding in the wrong way.

Any thoughts? I'm still in pain a bit so any advice will be very welcome!

Cheers,
Andy

Alex_Simmons/RST

You most likely will need to lower the saddle height by 5-7mm when you change to speedplays - and sometimes also lower the stem height as well to compensate - although sore shoulder/neck usually indicates a positional problem with too much weight being borne by the hands - possibly due to too much reach to the bars - either (or both) a little low at the front end or stem too long (or sometimes the throw of the bars does not suit you). May also need to consider setting the seat back a little and bringing the bars up a little.

Take it easy for the first couple of weeks when you make changes like this - speedplays are quite different to ride with their unique set up and it can take a while to adjust to the subtle changes with the pedal stroke.

I test rode some for a mag review I did last year but could never get used to them nor liked their feel but 95% of the poulation love 'em. They are a clever and good pedal system.

redddraggon

I get shoulder and neck pain with my new bike, it's a smaller size bike so I don't think it's me over reaching. (The neck and shoulder pain though is probably down to me getting nearly paralyzed 2.5years ago, and my incident last week).

vermooten

Thanks for the tip: I was out today having lowered my saddle a few mm and although the pain wasn't entirely absent it made a HUGE difference - so I shall play about with the position a wee bit more.

Thanks again!

Andy

intim8ed

Just a suggestion, after a ride lie flat on the floor with your arms out at the sides as as in a ' crucifixion' position ( if you get the idea !), with a rolled up towel between your shoulder blades. Let your shoulders relax and and stay there for 2- 3 minutes.

My physio had me doing this and I found it so effective I've stuck with it ever since. Takes a lot of the tension out of the neck and shoulders.